Workplace violence against female healthcare workers: a systematic review and meta‑analysis

📊 Key Findings

Pooled prevalence: Approximately 45% of female healthcare workers reported experiencing workplace violence (95% CI: 32–58%) researchgate.net +9researchgate.net +9researchgate.net +9.
Forms of violence: Incidents included verbal abuse, threats, physical assaults, sexual harassment, bullying (mobbing), and discrimination researchgate.net +1pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov +1.
Perpetrators: Aggressors ranged from patients and their relatives to colleagues and supervisors researchgate.net +12pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov +12researchgate.net +12.
Job roles affected: Nurses were the most frequently studied group, but the authors note the need for more research on other professions researchgate.net +3researchgate.net +3pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov +3.

Several demographic and workplace factors were significantly associated with higher risk:

Younger age, being single, and lower occupational position
Substance use, shorter work experience
Low workplace support en.wikipedia.org +12researchgate.net +12pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov +12

Both physical and psychological harm was documented, including stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and burnout—consistent with broader reviews en.wikipedia.org.

Multilevel interventions are essential:
- Organizational policies (e.g., reporting systems, security measures)
- Individual strategies (e.g., assertiveness training, peer support) researchgate.net +1pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov +1researchgate.net
More focused research is needed beyond nursing roles pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

An umbrella review in Public Health found overall HCW violence as high as ~79% in some settings, with nurses—especially in psychiatric wards—most affected researchgate.net +10researchgate.net +10researchgate.net +10.
Violence in healthcare is often linked to overcrowding, understaffing, long waits, and poor security—factors echoed across studies .
Specific mention that verbal violence is the most pervasive form, driven by miscommunication, high expectations, and staffing issues researchgate.net.

Violence is pervasive: Nearly half of female HCWs face workplace aggression.
Multiple forms and perpetrators: Ranging from verbal to physical, originating from patients and peers alike.
Well‑documented effects: Significant mental and physical health impacts.
Strong evidence base: Follow WHO and DOL guidance on risk assessment and prevention researchgate.net +1researchgate.net +1researchgate.neten.wikipedia.org.
Holistic approach needed: Combining policy, environment, and personal resilience strategies.